CHENNAI: The nine-month-old fledgeling Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) faces its third setback with senior functionary and former State minister V Senthil Balaji leaving the party for the DMK.
The first setback was when Nanjil Sampath, a staunch supporter of party deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran, left AMMK within days of its launch. The second was when the Madras High Court dashed the hopes of the 18 disqualified MLAs by upholding their disqualification.
The differences among the party functionaries cropped up after the HC verdict. The key issue was whether they should challenge the verdict or face polls. While legal experts told them an appeal would be the best option, Dhinakaran declared they would face bypolls, claiming the decision was unanimous. Now, Thanga Tamilselvan, another Dhinakaran lieutenant, has hinted the disqualified MLAs would go for an appeal.
Amid speculation that Balaji will join DMK with a few functionaries and several supporters, Dhinakaran broke his silence in an open letter to party cadre in which he said the party would not be crippled if some individuals or a group left to fulfil their ‘selfish interests’.
Dhinakaran said the AMMK had 1.20 crore members with 20 affiliated wings and 70 party districts. This was possible despite stiff opposition from the Central and State governments. Even before the party was launched, it (through Dhinakaran) had won the by-election to RK Nagar by defeating the DMK and ruling AIADMK, he said. Without naming Balaji, Dhinakaran criticised him as ‘pseudo’ and said real loyal cadre remained with him (Dhinakaran). Asked about the Balaji episode, P Vetrivel, one of the disqualified MLAs, told Express, “We thank Senthil Balaji for joining the DMK. By doing so, he has effectively thwarted the charge being made that AMMK is colluding with DMK. Second, this move is political suicide for Balaji.”
“For a political party, such betrayals are very common. Late AIADMK leaders MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa had faced similar betrayals and those who have betrayed them had never come up in politics. Similar would be the case of Balaji in DMK in future. This incident also proves that the DMK is afraid of AMMK. In the coming days, you will see, many leaders of DMK joining the AMMK,” he said.
Political analyst Tharasu Shyam is of the view that Balaji joining DMK would not help either him or DMK. “Had Balaji returned to AIADMK, it would have been a natural shift for him. But, moving to DMK is not a wise move. There are many senior functionaries in Karur, so, Senthil Balaji may not get any significant post.”
All rebels except TTV welcome to return, says CM
All rebels, except TTV Dhinakaran, were welcome to return to the AIADMK, said CM Edappadi K Palaniswami in Salem on Thursday. Noting it was their choice to join other parties, he said inviting them back was his duty.